Big Creek Conservation Area and Holiday Beach were designated an Important Bird Area on September 16, 2000. The IBA designation recognizes the importance of Big Creek as an important natural area through which thousands of raptors migrate each fall. Controlled waterfowl hunting is available in the fall, contact the office for more details.

Cedar Beach is a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing. It is at the mouth of Cedar Creek, which can be accessed from County Road 23, just south of County Road 20. A leisurely canoe trip from Cedar Creek Conservation Area all the way to Cedar Beach takes about one hour, and affords many spectacular views of wetlands, forests and wildlife along the way.

The Cedar Creek basin is probably the most significant, most extensive, and most beautiful natural area in the Essex Region. Contributing to the beauty of this area are the Carolinian woodlands, rolling landscapes, creeks and tributaries and abundant wildlife. While much of the basin is privately owned, ERCA does own a number of small properties along the creek.

It's hard to believe this unique woodland is located in an urban centre! Enter this natural area and feel the stresses of life melting away. Perhaps no other woodland in Canada supports a greater diversity of oak trees. Stay alert as you walk the extensive trail system winding through this 38 hectare forest. You may also see Eastern Screech Owls, Long Eared Owls and Little Brown Bats.

This Conservation Area is located in the heart of one of the region's most significant wetlands. Take a walk along the 4.5 km trail through the marsh, or explore the area by canoe. The area also offers one full kilometre of the best and lesser known beaches in Essex County.

This is one of the premier areas for viewing marsh life in Essex County. The 850-acre marsh is located on County Rd. 20 at the extreme eastern shore of Essex County on Lake Erie. An information centre and walking trail are located at the northwest corner of the marsh.

This Conservation Area offers a long sandy beach on the Lake Erie shoreline, plus many other amenities. Holiday Beach Conservation Area has serviced campsites, showers, large shady picnic areas, a concession stand, a playground, trails, a trout pond and a three storey observation tower.

A visit to the John R. Park Homestead and Conservation Area will take you back in time to the 1850s. The house and farm buildings of John and Amelia Park are restored to bring the nineteenth century to life.

Take a hike along one of the most beautiful forest boardwalk trails in the region. While exploring this 19 hectare Carolinian woodland you'll see Tulip-tree, Sassafras, Black Gum, Sycamore and Flowering Dogwood trees, as well as wildflowers such as Trillium, Jack-in-the-pulpit, May Apple, Spring Beauty and Columbine, to mention a few. See how many you can spot!

This 20 hectare site is perfect for an afternoon trip to the country. The area includes a winding trail through an oak-hickory woodland. Part of the trail passes along the upper meandering reaches of the Puce River. Bring along your baseball gear and take advantage of the open playing field and backstop. Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch in a restful setting. Great for family get togethers.

This smaller, 9 hectare area is a perfect outdoor classroom for children. The trail, seasonal pond and wooded area are not only pleasant, but offer a short enough walk for even the youngest naturalist.

This quaint 120 acre Conservation Area, designated an Environmentally Significant Area, is great for peaceful walks and nature viewing. Ruscom Shores is a perfect for spotting shorebirds, waterfowl and other spring migrants, as well as the resident Spotted Turtles.

Sandpoint Beach contains a large totem pole, pavillion, restroom, rinsing shower, drinking fountain, and restaurant. Every Winter, Sandpoint Beach is home to the "Polar Bear Dip", a long-running tradition of beach-goers running into the freezing (and often ice-covered) lake and swimming briefly to raise money for charities, or for the local Hospitals.

The alvar is an area of thin topsoil over limestone bedrock, a very unique ecosystem and one of the region's most biologically diverse, supporting some 55 native alvar plants. Rare species include: the Blue Racer Snake, Giant Swallowtail Butterfly, Yellow breasted Chat and Chinquapin Oak. The area also includes a rocky limestone shore.

Tremblay Beach Conservation Area is one of only two marshes remaining on Essex County's Lake St. Clair Shoreline (along with Ruscom Shores Conservation Area). The sandy beach, 1/2 km shoreline and extensive marsh make it ideal for spring birding, or just a quiet walk by the water. A new viewing tower will give you a bird's eye perspective of the abundant and interesting wildlife in the marsh.

An excellent area for boaters to relax and enjoy the surroundings.